The Great Library of Palanthas

Astinus' Office

Dominating the center of this room is a massive birch desk. Legend claims this desk has supported the thousands of volumes of history Astinus has recorded. A large pot of ink, a container of sharpened quills, and a candelabra complete the desks decorations. Small windows line the room, allowing light to trickle in and gently illuminate the entire room. A comfortable couch rests against the west wall. Tapestries hang on the walls between the windows. Shelves line the walls, filled with tomes of the more recent records of heroes and villians upon the face of Krynn.

The librarian notices you aren't reading anything...
Astinus hands a small leaflet to an Aesthetic standing by you.
You note the spine bears the word 'Ashea' scribed in rich green ink.
As you glance down at the page you read..

From the pages of Ashea's book..

Author: Ashea
Date: Sat Dec 6 18:36:53 2008
Subject A fiery beginning
The nightfall descended stealthily upon the spired towers of Silvanost. A
single candle remained lit in the chambers of the House Lorendien at this
late hour. A young elven apprentice by the name of Ashea was busy packing
his belongings for a lengthy trip to the place of his dreams -- the High
Tower of Sorcery. Every decade or so, the esteemed House found it fit to
release one of its own to learn the ways of magic such that the chosen one
may return to lead the House in the future. Needless to say, only the best
were annointed and Ashea fully expected that it would be his honor this time
around. He had worked hard for this grand appointment.
The young Ashea crept out of his room with his crumpled linen backpack and
walked briskly to his father's chambers. The announcement will be made any
time now and he wanted to be ready for it. He knelt beside the door of the
chambers and waited with great trepidation. Eighty whole years of endless
study has finally met its fruition.
"Talen, first-born of Oriel, you are summoned as the 104th representive of
the House Lorendien to the High Tower of Sorcery," a passionless voice
boomed through the hallways. Ashea's eyes first widened with surprise, which
slowly descended to unbridled hurt and hate. He knew that his father
favoured his first-born over him, but to this extent? Talen could hardly
muster an armor spell without bleeding out of his nose, much less ascend in
the complexities of the higher arcane. He watched with teary eyes as his
father appeared out of his chambers with a smug Talen, a backpack
embroidered with the coat of arms of the House slung neatly over his
shoulder. They have been expecting this. It was planned way before this
day.
Fuming with anger and blinded with his depthless disappointment, Ashea
reached out his hand and grabbed his elder brother, meaning to render a
forceful uppercut. But the magic that Ashea once controlled so diligently no
longer had a sober master. Talen and Oriel of the House Lorendien caught
fire as quickly as a dry bush. Through the chaos and the painful screams,
Ashea grabbed Talen's backpack and the sealed letter addressed to the High
Tower of Sorcery and took flight. An invisibility spell and a conjuring of
magical haste. Ashea left quickly into the night.
---
That was the situation as it was five years ago and I still search for the
High Tower amongst the lonely vallenwoods. My hands carress the now faded
seal on the letter I once stole and... is that an opening in the woods I
see? I smile wryly to myself and stepped in. They have found me.